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Pageau Assists With First Pitch, DeMayo Honored by Sinoway

The 64th annual Opening Day festivities for Max Sinoway Little League took place April 25 at Montowese Park. Traditional ceremonies included the march of players that was led by the Northeast Volunteer Fire Department color guard; along with instrumentalists from Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps, the reading of the Little League pledge, and the ceremonial first pitch.

North Haven First Selectman Michael J. Freda addressed those on hand, as did State Senator Leonard Fasano and Representative David Yaccarino.

Freda told the audience that, “This program is very important to us in North Haven,” and added how he has been working closely with the leadership of Max Sinoway on a capital improvement plan for the Montowese Park complex to improve what is already a destination for tournament play, “with amenities which will make this one of the finest locations in the state.”

Freda also threw out the ceremonial first pitch and the ball was delivered to Freda by nine-year-old Hunter Pageau, who is battling SMARD (Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress). Hunter attended the event with his mother Sharon Agli-Pageau.

Additionally on Opening Day, Max Sinoway president Chip Meyers presented a plaque to longtime North Haven baseball Coach Bob DeMayo, honoring him for his many years of dedication to the sport and the young baseball players in town.

Meyers paid tribute to Connecticut’s all-time high school baseball wins leader by saying, “Renowned nationally, as well as across the state of Connecticut, Bob DeMayo’s legacy will always be held close to home in North Haven. During his 58 years in town, he has coached hundreds of ballplayers who got their start right here on these fields and in our league.”

DeMayo, who has over 800 career victories and has led North Haven to four state championships in his 57 seasons as head coach, told the crowd that he was humbled by the recognition.

“I know any success that the high school program has had goes right back to the Little League, and volunteer coaches, great administrators, and all they’ve done was get the young kids interested in baseball—the greatest game around,” DeMayo said. “I just get a chance to polish them off.”

Max Sinoway Little League supports recreational and competitive baseball for the youth of North Haven. The league’s volunteers support approximately 350 boys and girls on 32 teams in Little League and travel baseball for players from ages 4 to 19.